MONTREAL - Two unions fighting to keep Air Canada jobs in Montreal were joined by politicians of all stripes on Friday as the airline eyes moving 140 training positions to Toronto.
Calling the move of pilot and flight attendant training programs part of a "growing trend," members of federal, provincial and municipal parties were standing with union officials.
The only major face missing at the table was that of Mayor Gerald Tremblay, who has been unequivocal in his support for the union. A motion was unanimously adopted by Montreal's city council opposing the move.
"When Air Canada was privatized, there was a promise by Air Canada that it would maintain repair and overhaul centres that existed in Montreal, Mississauga and Winnipeg," said Marc Garneau, the Liberal MP for Westmount-Ville Marie.
"We are seeing that that isn't happening anymore. Jobs are being shifted, jobs are being lost."
Air Canada is headquartered in Montreal.
